life of guangzhou

Chinese New Year (Chinese:春节,Chun Jie/ 农历新年, Nongli Xinnian /过年,Guonian) ,also known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, is the largest and most important of the traditional Chinese holidays.

Chinese New Year Festival is based on the lunar Chinese calendar, begins on first day of the first month in the Chinese calendar and ends with Lantern Festival (元宵节) which is on the 15th day of the first month.

Year 2012, the year of dragon in Chinese zodiac, the Spring Festival starts from January 23, 2012 (Chinese New Year's Day) to February 2, 2012 (Lantern Festival).

Chinese New Year is a time for families to be together, celebrations include having annual reunion dinner on Chinese New Year's Eve, setting firecrackers, giving lucky money to children, sending Chinese New Year greetings, dragon and lion dancing.

In Guangzhou, there are other special tradition or customs, like flower fairs and lantern exhibition, adding some Cantonese snacks or cuisine. People also can enjoy a happy and unique Spring Festival.

Spring Festival: Traditions and Customs
Year 2012,January 21 is the Great Gold (大寒), the last solar date of the year that marks the beginning of the Spring Festival (春节) season.[More]

2012 Guangzhou Flower Fair
Flower Fair is a traditional cultural activity unique to people in Guangzhou during the Spring Festival. It usually starts several days before the Spring Festival till the midnight of the New Year's Eve. [More] 

Traditional Cantonese Snacks for Spring Festival
As a country covering 9.6 million square kilometers, China has a massive variety of different foods traditionally consumed during this big event.[More]

Fireworks to Celebrate Chinese New Year
The government of Guangzhou will organize a fireworks performance on the evening of Jan. 23 on the river bank near the Canton Fair Pazhou Complex and the White Swan Lake (白鹅潭). [More]

Chinese New Year Wood Paintings, Hisoric Blessings
Nian Hua (年画), or Chinese New Year paintings, dating back to early rock carvings, are used to decorate the walls doors, and windows of homes during the spring festival to bring blessings of good luck and fortune. [More]

New Year Lantern Exhibition Debuts on Lychee Bay
A New Year lantern exhibition will be started in the evening of Dec. 31 with 38 groups of lantern displayed along Lychee Bay (荔枝湾) located at Liwan District. The exhibition will last for 38 days, till the Lantern Festival on Feb 6 next year.[More]

Second Temple Fair to Be Held During Lantern Festival
The second temple fair in Guangzhou will be held in Yuexiu District during the Lantern Festival on Feb. 6 - 12, 2012. [More]

Old Guangzhou Experience for Free
An exhibition showcasing historical Guangzhou photographs, maps and doorplates is being held at the Guangzhou Uprising Museum on Guangzhou Qiyi Road until Mar. 18. [More]

Lantern Festival to Kick off 3 Lantern Exhibitions
The Lantern Festival of this year, as the end of the Spring Festival, is on Feb. 6. There are three traditional lantern exhibitions to be debut in Guangzhou. [More]

ChimeLong Hotel Celebrates Chinese New Year of Gragon
With the theme of Dance with Dragon and Tiger, the Chimelong Hotel in Guangzhou's Panyu district celebrates the Chinese year of dragon. Five gala dinner packages are promoted this January in its different restaurants.[More]

Shangri-La Hotel, Guangzhou Welcomes The Year Of The Dragon
The Shangri-La Hotel, Guangzhou presents an array of festive specialties for the coming Year of Dragon, offering a perfect place for family and business associates to gather and celebrate in traditional Chinese style. [More]

February Highlights in Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou
Treat your friend, family or lover in the valentine a luxurious Sparkling Wine & Champagne dinner featuring sumptuous offerings, a special wine selection and a lovely takeaway chocolate gift box. [More]

(Collected by Hong Cuiliu)